Bryan B
Boring by modern standards. High school guys who look like they are 30 messing around in class and trying to get laid. Not much actually happening.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
02/21/24
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D S
The movie had lots of potential but the story never developed.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
08/24/23
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Ben D
A low-budget, "Greaser" movie made during the 1950s-nostalgia craze of the 1970s, The Lords of Flatbush is an archetype for the entire genre. I mean, the four-manned "gang" of Chico (Perry King), Stanley (Sylvester Stallone), Butchey (Henry Winkler), and Wimpy (Paul Mace) each serve their purpose — the lothario, the meathead, the smart-alec, and the Napoleonic-complex-afflicted — wear leather jackets, smoke cigarettes, ride motorcycles, haunt pool halls, get in scraps, impregnate their girlfriends, and even sing a capella at the soda fountain. Chico and Stanley get by far the most characterization and screen time, with Butchey coming in third and Wimpy in a long fourth — the lack of plot for Butchey and Wimpy is a detriment to the film. Mace aside, the three other actors, between 27–29, look pretty ridiculous in the opening HS classroom scene, especially Stallone. Chico dating the WASPy Jane (Susan Blakely) had to have inspired the central relationship of Danny Zuko and Sandy in Grease. The most standout scene concerns Stanley, his pregnant girlfriend, Frannie Malincanico (Maria Smith), and her one-womaned "Greek Chorus," Annie Yuckaminelli (Reneé Paris) — how can you not love those surnames?? — on one side of a diamond display counter while the jeweler (Martin Davidson, also the co-director) does the minimal amount of salesmanship to frustrate our meathead. Stallone, here in his acting debut, provides a clinic on range. The high schooler is ensnared in a web of his own making — he impregnated the girl, he didn't walk away, he needed to look cool. The awkward pauses — while Frankie and Annie wait with bated breath — the playful punches to the jaw, the haggling with the jeweler, as if there was any sort of level playing field, make for one helluva scene. Smith and Paris, the latter with curlers in her hair for a majority of her screen time, are (perhaps unintentionally) the comedic relief. The climax is meh, as the "fighting" has a lot to be desired, but the wedding ending with the gang all sharing pulls from the same jug of homemade wine was perfect.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/13/23
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Audience Member
I saw this when it was first released. It is amazing how the relatively unknown Winkler and Stallone went on to greater things. A look at wild kids in the 1950's in Brooklyn is filled with memorable and humorous moments. Sly Stallone is particularly good. The cinematography and direction are "B" level, but the spirit of the film as a coming of age in the 1950's NYC makes it a watchable film. The film was made in the 1970's, about the 1950's, and in 2022 it still has some relevance and universal themes.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/13/23
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Audience Member
It pretty honestly captures every day life of aimless youths. As such, not much of note happens at all. Which would be fine, but with movies like this, their success hangs on the likeability of the cast and their chemistry, and usually features a great soundtrack. Unfortunately this has none of that. In fact most of these characters are insufferable shitheads...
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
08/26/20
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Audience Member
Loved this movie when I was a kid.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/23/23
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